*Educating Nellie*

To kill a mocking bird.

Easy to read and great story.

Or - Wind in the Willows. It's a children's book but it is still a great read.

What are you interested in? No point me recommending my 'specialist subject' if it is of no interest to you.

History
Travel
Opera
Ballet
Composers
Biography
Art
Third world etc. etc. etc.

If you give us some clues I am sure you will get lots of suggestions

jo4 have never read To kill a Mocking bird ,but have read wind in the willows,and also Charles Dickens when I was a child and the classic children's stories like Robinson Crusoe,kidnapped,Treasure Island,etc, thing is I don't know what I want,knowledge,information,self enlightenment,I just feel that is " more" that I should know,be able to talk about,discuss,take an interest in,I have read the debates here about the papers,and not taking much of interest in current affairs ,politics etc,so don't know where to start,to make me more of an interesting person..fill in the gapsetc..to form my own opinions..
Alison I. Like Biographies,and have read a few,but mainly people such as television personalities...I quite like the idea of delving into people based subjects,what makes people tick,I find people subjects are very interesting....I am very much a people person so maybe that is a starting point...I have just lost sight of myself,and my interests...big sigh.

Try anya setons books, starting with Katherine.

Nellie you might like 'The Suspicions of Mr Whicher' by Kate Summercale.
It has a bit of a lot of elements, biography, history, mystery, based on the true story of a murder in Wiltshire in (I think) the 1860's.
It's very well written and she really brings the characters to life. There has been a film made for television too.
Good luck with your reading. One thing I have done in my later years is given myself permission not to have to carry on reading something I'm not enjoying. If I don't like something after the first 30 pages I give up and it goes to the book bin at the recycling centre

Sorry that should have been Kate Summerscale.

LittleNellie A biography that I've enjoyed reading over and over is - 'You Might As Well Live' - The Life And Times Of *Dorothy Parker*
Dorothy Parker lived life to the full in enjoyment, comedy and ultimately tragedy. She became rich and famous and powerful; she had four lovers. Her poems were best sellers, her witticisms world famous and wounding - told that President Coolidge had died, she replied "How could they tell?" She was a remarkable woman. My book is well-loved and well-read.

Two of my favourite books: Katherine and To Kill a Mockingbird. Vikram Seth's A Suitable Boy is very long, but quite captivating. It interweaves the stories of various characters whilst giving an oversight of the political and cultural context of post-independence India. I loved it - and I believe A Suitable Girl is due for publication next year.

Sorry Littlenellie. Thought you were just asking for good books to get stuck into.

Maybe just read the newspapers online?

If ever I need cheering up, I like to read just about anything written by Bill Bryson. His quirky sense of humour makes me laugh out loud. You could start with Notes From A Small Island

I do that with novels, Jane, but if it's a book I've promised myself I will read one day, or something knowledge-imparting but a bit turgid, I will force myself to carry on to the bitter end! It can be very satisfying to think, well I've read it, but didn't think much of it - or I'm glad I persevered, it was worth it.

nellie, is it factual stuff you want?

Littlenellie Just for the record (once a pedant, always a pedant) The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner. Written by Himself was written for adults to read, not children. If what you read was a child's version, you might like to have a look at the original. Similarly, Gulliver's Travels was not written for children and is actually very funny. I love Charles Dickens and if you read some his stuff when you were a child, why not read some of the lesser known stories now.

Mary Renault wrote lively versions of the life of Alexander the Great, the Theseus myth and other stories of the classical world, providing an insight into history (what people ate and drank as well as what battles were fought) and classical culture at the same time. Rattling good yarns in fact.

What's happening with these threads? . I replied to Janes post (took me about a minute) and all the posts after hers were not there! Ten minutes' worth of posts missing, and then they appear after I've posted!

We've been spooked!

Thought that also jo I have noted that people dip in and out out of the papers and read several to form their opinions so that is a very good starting point,now that I have the IPad ..a revelation that I can dip in and out freely of different papers ,I am aware that my knowledge of current affairs is sadly lacking..will try to kill a mocking bird as I have often seen it and heard of it and it is a classic and was used as part of GCE when I was at school,but I read Gerald Durrell my family and other animals,and went on to read and thoroughly enjoy all of his books....didn't do GCE or CSE .....or any Ologies ,am completly without qualification....except a driving licence

I'm reding the Mary Renault 'Alexander' books at the moment.

They're great. In a funny sort of way. (Not sure they are exactly true history )

I read, and always have read, all sorts of genres. I agree about 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. It's a wonderful read and a first rate film - just loved Gregory Peck. I think you'd also like 'The Help' which is in a similar vein - written with great insight and humour. Why not read 'Gone With the Wind' - it has everything!

Oh god! I only did RSA shorthand and typing. Don't let that put you off.

Sounds like you've done alright anyway!

Yes we have been spooked I think cos I can't thank you all quick enough..

You've got a Driving Licence?

I haven't.

I got a push bike though.

Fell off my push bike when taking E and her friend for a ride a few years back ...the old girl pulled up both brakes together went flying over the handle bars using a brick wall to help me come to a standstill,I embarrassed them hugely,and they rode off leaving me ,my bleeding knees and mangled specs,to limp home on my own.....

I don't have a driving licence or a push bike. As for shorthand, I never got beyond "the name of the month is May" and "it is Joe's boat today". Sorry, Shocking digression. Bad absent!

LittleNellie If you've enjoyed Gerald Durrell, you'll most certainly get hooked on Bill Bryson. The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy is well worth reading. Something very different - John Steinbeck's The Wayward Bus